Inclinometer



CONTROL UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm TOR FIG 4 asurs FIG 5 BATTER/ES //vv/v TOR PHILIP JONES P. JONES INQLINOHETER I rill/111 FIG! Sept. 21, 1948. P. JONES 2,449,704

INCL INOMETER Filed June 26, 1944 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGS PHILIP JONES (NVENTOR Patented Sept. 21, 1948 INCLINOMETER Philip J ones, Los Angeles, Calif. Application June 26, 1944, Serial No. 542,056

g 11- Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for measuring and recording the inclination of bore-holes. as for example oil wells.

In applicant's Patent 2,246,519, reference is made to devices in which the record of instrument position is made by mechanical means, these means including a watch mechanism.

In the present invention, the disadvantages inherent in-such timing devices are avoided by the adoption of an electrically operated inclinometer (drift recorder) unit, in conjunction with controlling means by which the functioning of the inclinometer is delayed until the device is brought .to rest at the point at which the record of inclination is desired-usually at the bottom of the hole.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical section through the inclinometer unit;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, looking upwardly, of the plunger, conducting ring and contact points as on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the control assembly;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the vibrator assembly;

Fig. 4A illustrates an alternative form of the vibrator;

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing preferred electrical circuits by which the elements of the control assembly are functionally connected:

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating modified circuits by which the control mechanism may be adapted to the making of a photographic record, and

Fig. '1 is an elevation of a complete assembly in a suggested order of arrangement of the above elements.

Referring first to Fig. 1, a housing tube i0 contains a pendulum bob ll suspended from a cap II by a chain it. The bob is provided with a dull point as at N.

An extension tube ll, screwed into tube I0,

' contains an electromagnet consisting of a solenoid coil II and a, vertically movable core or plunger H, from the upper end of which a nonmagnetic solenoid is placed a vertically slidable table l9, to the upper surface of which is fastened (as by cementing) a disc 20 of inked ribbon or of carbon paper with its inked surface upward.

Below the solenoid is fixed a disc 2i of nonconductive material (e. g., Bakelite) in which are inserted three contact points 22-22. The'lower end of plunger "flexibly supports, as by means of a spiral spring 23, a conducting ring 24 by means of which the contact points are electrically connected on upward movement of the plunger, for a purpose which will be described.

The above elements are so proportioned that when tube 45 is screwed home in tube Ill the point ll of bob H swings slightly above the surface 20. On energization of magnet IS the plunger I1 moves upwardly and extension i8 encounters the lower side of the table, driving it upwardly and into sharp contact with point ll. A disc of plain paper having been concentrically placed on the inked surface 20, an inked impression on the lower face of the paper disc indicates the existing position of the point of the bob as regards the center of the paper disc and, thus, the momentary inclination of the instrument.

Referring next to Fig. 3, a solenoid 25 is wound around the upper end of a nonmagnetic tube 26 which is plugged at the upper extremity as at 21.

Inside this tube is a hollow piston (or piston tube) 28 having at its lower end a nonconductive coupling 29. The lower end of this coupling is faced to provide at 30 a seat for a,valve ill of slight weight which is gently urged against its seat by extension I8 is projected upwardly. Above the a light coil sp i 32.

To the lower end of coupling 29 is fixed a valve cage 33 which is slotted as at 34, the lower end of the cage being open. Across the lower end of the cage is fixed a tube 35 containing two small steel balls 36-38 which are urged apart by an open coil spring 31.

To the lower end of tube 28 is screwed a flange 38 and a blind flange 39 is drawn toward it by a plurality of bolts 4040. Between these flanges are clamped a plurality of rings or short tubular sections H-ll of conductive material, these sections being separated and insulated by short spacing rings 42-42 of nonconductive material. These element-s are so formed and mated as to produce a liquid-tight extension of insulating tube 28.

The tube 35 above described is so inclined to the horizontal that its contained balls and spring act as a brush to make contact simultaneously with adjacent conductive rings 4 l-4 I. Any other form of brush member arranged to make such contacts may be substituted. The assembly of through downwardly openin valve ll. Upon deenergization of the solenoid, however, the piston assembly can descend only at the rate permitted by leakage past the valve or piston or, in practice, through a minute port such as the orifice indicated at 43. Assuming that this leakage occurs. upon descent of the piston assembly, insulating rings 42 are successively bridged by the brush balls 38, establishing electrical contact between successive pairs of adjacent conductive rings 4|. Referring now to Fig. 4, analigning tube 44 is provided at its upper end with an insulating bushing 45 and at its lower end'with'a conductive ring 46. A vibrator consisting of a spring wire 41 and a weight 48 is suspended from bushing 45, the wire passing through a hole 49 in ring 44. These elements are so proportioned that no contact is made between wire 41 and ring 46 when the device is at rest in an approximately vertical position (1. e., within the range of vertical inclination to which the specific instrument is adapted) but so that such contact is momentarily made upon acceleration of the device, such as occurs in running it into the hole.

The above form of vibrator assembly is responsive mainly to lateral movement of the device, the wire 41 being substantially rigid vertically. The modified form shown in Fig. 4A is responsive to acceleration in any direction and may be used if preferred. Referring to this figure, the weight 48 is suspended by a sensitive coil spring It! in such manner as to clear the inner surface of a conductive cup when the instrument is at rest in an approximately vertical position, contact between the weight and the cup being produced by any change in velocity, either longitudinal or lateral.

The physical assembly of the device, as a whole, includes the three units above described, three relays and a battery consisting of dry cells, all of .which may be contained in tube l5 and be arranged in any convenient order, there being no mechanical connection between the various units. The electrical connections by which the elements are brought into functional cooperation are shown in an exemplary form in Fig. 5. This is a conventional circuit diagram in which numbered elements correspond to parts already described and F, G and H are the three relays Just referred to.

The functional operation of the apparatus is as follows: assuming that the piston assembly 24/32.

has in some manner been brought to the position indicated in Fig. 3, the brushes 38 are in the position indicated by the dotted bridge "a (Fig. 5), the segment 4 IA is grounded and relay 1'' is shortcircuited and therefore open. With this relay open, no current flows through solenoid coil 26 and the piston assembly 28/32, carrying brushes 36, descends by gravitation at a rate determined by the liquid flow rate through orifice 43.

As the brushes pass over segments llA-HB, no relay is energized, and piston descent continues until the brushes reach the position "b, in which segments 4lB-4IC are connected, It will be noted that segment 3 is connected to one terminal of the vibrator (Fig. 4 or 4A) of which the other terminal is connected to one terminal of the winding of relay F, the other terminal of this relay being grounded. Also that segment C is connected to the live" battery terminal, the other terminal of the battery being grounded.

If, therefore, during the passage of the brushes over segments 4lB-4IC, the vibrator contacts are closed by movement of the device as above described, the circuit through relay 1" is completed. Upon the consequent closure of relay F, circuit is completed through solenoid II and through a resistor J 'to the relay winding is shown. The piston assembly is thereby restored to its initial (elevated) position, the relay contact being held closed by current passing through resistor J, regardless of any contacts at 4 lB-4IC and in the vibrator during this restoration. When the brushes reach their initial position (No) the winding of relay F is again short-circuited' and the initially described circuit conditions are restored: i. e., the magnetic force tending to hold the piston at the upper end of its stroke is removed and the piston is again free to descend.

This descent of the piston to the brush position indicated at 34!) and the return of the piston to its initial position are repeated during the lowering of the device into the hole. the assembly being subject to acceleration and vibration during this descent, whereby frequent momentary contacts are made in the vibrator assembly.

When the device finally comes to rest-es when, in practice, it reaches the bottom of the hole or other level at which inclination is to be measured-the vibrator contacts remain open, the piston is not retrieved as the brushes pass over segments 4 l B4 IC, and the brushes consequently pass on to position No at which segments MC and D are connected. When this contact is made, relay G is closed and is thereafter held closed, independently of the contact 4lC-4ID, by current flowing through a parallel resistor K as in the case first described. The brushes then continue their descent to the position M, connecting segments 4 iD-4 IE.

In this position of the brushes. the windings of relays G and H are in parallel. Relay H therefore closes and energizes solenoid I. of the inclinometer unit (Fig. 1).

Upon the resulting upward stroke of plunger H, the record on the paper disc is made as described and, simultaneously, ring 24 is brought into contact with the three contact points 22-42, which are connected respectively to the "live" terminals of relays G and H and to ground. These relays are thereby short-circuited and consequently open. Upon the opening of the contact at relay G. .these relays can no longer be energized, as before. via resistor K of relay (3, so that no repetition of the recording operation will thereafter occur.

In the working instrument. the several units are housed in a tubular shell, portions of which are indicated at II and II in Figs. 1 to 4A inclusive. This shell is Jointed at suitable points to afford access to the several units. These may be arranged in any convenient vertical order, though preferably with the inclinometer unit-(Fig. 1) at .the upper end. A suggested arrangement, which may be modified at will, is indicated'in mg I In its use in the field, the operation of the instrument is typically as follows: assuming that the position of the piston assembly is that last above described (1. e.. atthe lower end of its stroke) as it will be, ordinarily, at the end of a previous recording, the operator proceeds thus: Holding the device horizontally 'or generally right end up, he inserts a record disc over the inked surface 24 of table II of the inclinometer unit and encloses the entire instrument in any suitable pressure-tight housing. These housings are well known in the art and need no description. 'At.

lowing fluid to pass valve 3i ('Fig. 3) and the 9 ton assembly to return to the upper end of its travel by its own weight. When the assembly is restored to its normal position it is immediatelyv lowered into the well, either at the end of a line or by dropping freely as inago-devil.

Rererringagain to the wiring diagram Fig. 5, it will be seen that, upon inversion oi the instrument, the brushes first move to .position No, in which segments liCllD are connected. This, as before, closes relay G, which is thereatter held closed by current via resistor K. the make" contact at relay G and the "break" contact at relay F. Upon the first operation of relay F, almost immediately thereafter, this circuit is opened at the break" contactof relay 1'. Relay G thereupon opens and is not again closed until the brushes again, in their downward travel, reach position 360 at which segments C and MD are connected.

As the apparatus is lowered or dropped into the well, the vibrator contacts are repeatedly closed in response to the many shocks incident to its motion. Thus the piston is retrieved repeatedly. as above described, and cannot reach the .position at which solenoid i8 is brought into function and the record is made until the apparatus comes to rest.

After the recording operation is completed it is immaterial what is done with the instrument: whether it is immediately withdrawn or is recovered when the drill pipe is run out. No other record can be produced until after the device is again inverted and the relays consecutively operated in the order stated.

Although the description so far has been with respect to an electromagnetlcally operated inelinometer unit, the method of control herein described may be adapted to inclinometer units of other types, as for example the photographic unit described in applicant's U. S. Patent 2,246,519.

Such an adaptation isillustrated in the circuit diagram Fig. 6, which is largely self-explanatory. In this modification, relay vH isomitted and a lamp M (which may be the lamp H of the patent) is connected to the "make contact of relay G. In this adaptation, relay (3 is energized, as before, when the brushes reach position "c; the lamp lS consequently energized. The relay winding is short-circuited at the final brush position 36d and the lamp is extinguished. For the reasons above given, this operation will not be repeated until the device is again inverted. Thus the patented instrument referred to is made adaptable to go-devil operation, as is referred to at line 34, page 4 or the patent.

I claim as my invention:

1.. In an inclinometer having a pointed pendulum, a sliding table and electromagnetic means for driving said table against said point to produce a record of point position on a record element placed on said table: means for controlling the operation of said electromagnetic means, comprising: a solenoid-coil wound on a tubular 7 element closed at its lower end to provide a reservoir for a nonconductive liquid; a hollow piston of magnetic material reciprocating in said tubular element; a downwardly opening valve closing the bottom ofv said piston and means to proof said reservoir: brush means moving with said hollow piston to connect said points in consecutive pairs; means for energizing said solenoid to maintain said hollow piston in a relatively elevated position so long as said inclinometer is subject to acceleration, and means iunctioning when the lowermost pair at said points is bridged to energize said electromagnetic means to produce said record.

2. In an inclinometer having a pointed pendulum, a, sliding table and electromagnetic means for driving said table against said point to produce a record of point position on a record element placed on said table: means for controlling the operation of said electromagnetic means. comprising; a sealed reservoir containing a liquid; a piston arranged to be raised by a solenoid and to subside slowly through said liquid by gravity; contact points arranged in the wall 0! said reservoir and brush means carried by said piston and arranged to connect said contact points in pairs; a vibrator unit ai'lording electrical contacts on acceleration thereoi'; an electric circuit including said vibrator unit, said solenoid and one pair 0! said contact points. whereby on the connecting of said points by said brush means said piston is retrieved and held in a relatively elevated position so long as said inclinometer is subject to acceleration. and a second electrical circuit arranged to energize said electromagnetic means and to produce said record when said inclinometer comes to rest and said piston subsides to bring said brush means into contact with 9, second pair of said contact points.

3. Means for timing the record-producing element oi? an inclinometer, comprising: a solenoid and a core arranged to be elevated thereby and to subside slowly when said solenoid is deenergized;

, an upper and a lower pair or contact points and duce slow leakage around said valve; 9. series of 7 brush means moving with said core and arranged tobridge said points in pairs; means responsive to acceleration of said inclinometer for completing an electrical circuit through said upper pair or points whereby said solenoid is energized and said core is maintained in a relatively elevated position so long as acceleration continues; a second electrical circuit including said lower pair of points and said record-producing element whereby said element is energized and said record produced when acceleration ceases and said core subsides to its relatively lower position.

4. Means for timing the record-producing element 0! aninclinometer, comprising: a solenoid and a core arranged to be elevated thereby and to subside slowly when said solenoid is deenergized; a vibrator unit for completing an electrical circuit in response to acceleration; brush means moving with said core for completing an electrical circuit through said vibrator and said solenoid whereby said core is maintained in a relatively elevated position so long as said acceleration recurs; means cooperating with said brush means to complete a second electrical cirsubside slowly when said solenoid is deenergized;

a vibrator unit tor-completing an electrical circuit in response to acceleration; brush means moving with said core for completing an electrical circuit through said vibrator and said solenoid whereby said core is maintained in a relatively elevated position so long as said acceleration recurs; means cooperating with said brush means to complete a second electrical circuit energizing said recordproducing element when said acceleration ceases and said core subsides to a lower position, and means for deenergizing said solenoid and break ing said second circiut when said record has been made.

8. Means for timing the record-producing element or an inclinometer, comprising: an electrical circuit including the actuating means for said record-producing element and means carried by a movable member for making and breaking said circuit; means responsive to acceleration 01' said inclinometer for maintaining said movable member in a position at which said circuit is interrupted so long as said acceleration recurs, and means actuated by gravity and operating when said acceleration ceases for moving said. movable member to a position at which said circuit is completed and through said position to a position at which further movement or said member is inhibited.

7. Means for timing the record-producing element of an inclinometer, comprising: an electrical circuit including the actuating means for said record producing element and means carried by a movable member ior making and breaking said circuit; means responsive to acceleration of said inclinometer for maintaining said movable member in a position at which said circuit is interrupted so long as said acceleration recurs, and means restrained by the flow oi liquid through an orifice for moving said movable member through a position at which said circuit is completed to a position at which said circuit is permanently interrupted when said acceleration ceases.

8. In an inclinometer: a tubular housing; a pendulum centrally suspended in said housing; a record member; a slidable support for said member whereby said member is rendered movable toward said pendulum; recording means associated with said pendulum whereby its position relative to said member is recorded upon said member in response to said movement; an electromagnet arranged to actuate said support toward said pendulum and thereby to record said posi-. tion, and automatic means responsive to cessation of vibration or said inclinometer and operatively associated with said electromagnet for producing a single energization of said electromagnet and i'or.preventing a repetition said energization. v

9. In an inclinometer: a tubular housing; a pendulum centrally suspended in said housing a record member; a slidable support for said member whereby said member is rendered movable to ward said pendulum; recording means associated with said pendulum whereby its position relative to said member is recorded upon said member in response to said movement; an electromagnet arranged to actuate said support toward said pendulum and thereby to record said position; means to energize said electromagnet; means for delaying said energization until said inclinometer comes to rest, and means responsive to cessation of vibration 01 said inclinometer and operatively associated with said electromagnet for preventing a repetition of said recording movement.

10. In aninclinometer: a tubular housing; a pendulum centrally suspended in said housing: a record member; a slidable support for said member whereby said member is rendered movable toward said pendulum; recording means associated with said pendulum whereby its position relative to said member is recorded upon said member in response to said movement; an electromagnet arranged to actuate said support toward said pendulum and thereby to record said position; means to energize said electromagnet; means responsive to acceleration for delaying said energization, and means responsive to cessation or acceleration and operatively associated with said electromagnet for preventing a repetition of said recording movement.

11. In an inclinometer: a pendulum having a pointed bob; a table slidable toward and away from said point; a record member removably placed on said table; means to actuate said table toward. said point and thereby imprint a record of pendulum position on said record member, said means including an electromagnet; means to energize said electromagnet and actuate said table when said inclinometer comes to rest; means operative solely while said inclinometer is in motion tor preventing said energization, and means responsive to cessation oi said motion and operatively associated with said electromagnet for preventing a repetition of said energization,

PHILIP JONES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,058,570 Fagerlund Apr. 8, 1913 1,977,630 Hester Oct. 23, 1984 2,173,745 Hoard Sept. 19, 1939 2,255,721 Mattingly et al Sept. 9, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,781 Great Britain 1906 

